Android phones were the first to include a number of notable standards. They were the first to support 4G, 5G, USB-C (back in 2015 no less) and in-screen fingerprint sensors. And when it comes to wireless charging, you can trace that line back to the Samsung Galaxy S3 from 2012 (though the webOS-powered Palm Pre and its Touchstone charger are the real OG). Unfortunately, when it comes to adding support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard to devices in 2024, it feels like Android phone makers have been stuck on outdated specs.
The Qi2 standard was officially announced in early 2023 during CES. We even gave it an award, since the spec looks like it will bring 15-watt wireless charging (and maybe more in future updates), improved security and the sensitive presentation of Magnetic Power Profiles that make it easy to sync and attach compatible charging pads. Essentially, the Qi2 was set to bring the simplicity and ease of use that iPhone owners enjoy with MagSafe products to the Android ecosystem.
What’s even more surprising is that in an unusual move for a company that likes to keep its technology firmly embedded within the walls of its ecosystem, Apple has shared the main parts of the MagSafe spec with other members of the Wireless Power Consortium (which is the governing body that controls the Qi and Qi2 standards). to accelerate development and cooperation. So you’d think after seeing the usability and popularity of MagSafe accessories among iPhone users, Android phone makers would be quick to add Qi2 to as many devices as possible. But nearly two full years after the spec was finalized, the bulk of Qi2-supporting Android stands in one place: the HMD Skyline.
At this point, you might say that product development cycles are multi-year processes that are difficult to change before launch. And in most cases, you’d be right. But let’s be honest, it’s not like Samsung, Google, Lenovo and others didn’t see this coming. Like Apple, almost all major Android phone makers are also WPC members, so they would have known about the Qi2 development long before it was officially announced. In addition, the first iPhone with MagSafe was the iPhone 12, which came out four years ago. So even if we can imagine that for the first time Samsung, Google et al presented with the idea of a system of wireless magnetic charging during the keynote speech of Apple in the fall of 2020, you can think that there is enough time to make the same technology. use on today’s Galaxy and Pixel phones.
For manufacturers, one of the concerns when implementing a new standard is that there may not be enough accessories and compatible accessories available for sale to make the implementation of the new technology worthwhile. We’ve seen this in the past with flagship phones like the LG G5 and Moto Z Force line and the exciting palm-reading technology on the LG G8. However, because Qi2 and MagSafe gadgets are so interchangeable, there’s a huge market for options like Anker’s MagGo line of power banks, which are some of my favorite portable battery packs.
Another annoyance is that some phones like the Razr Plus and Pixel 9 Pro Fold will even stick magnetically to some Qi2 accessories and may even absorb a bit of juice. Unfortunately, this is just a side effect of the magnets being used to help keep the foldable open or closed, rather than the intended use. This means that even though these devices may appear to support Qi2 at first glance, the accessories are not rigid and often slip even in seemingly good conditions. Even cases that claim to add Qi2 support are hit or miss, leading to a bad experience for Android phone owners hoping to recreate the MagSafe magic on their own. It’s a shame really, because it almost feels like with a few tweaks Google, Moto and others could unlock Qi2 support for a wider range of devices without a ton of extra effort or cost.
Unfortunately, while most Chinese phone makers have avoided Qi2 so far, that’s kind of to be expected from manufacturers like Oppo who often opt for proprietary technology like 65-watt AirVOOC wireless charging instead of the more widely available industry standard. And because the Galaxy S24 family came out in early 2024, Samsung didn’t have much time to add Qi2 to its flagship lineup like Google, which launched the Pixel 9 series a few months ago. However, this still does not explain the general reluctance of OEMs to accept what I would argue is one of the most reasonable improvements in accessibility and general usability that you can add to a smartphone today.
But the most frustrating thing is that in the last six months, our friends CNET wondered why we haven’t seen Qi2 Android phones yet. And as we approach the end of the year, there’s only one model still trying to spark hope that 2025 will be different. So I commend HMD for doing what Samsung, Google et al. I couldn’t be bothered to find out. Now I’m worried that if things don’t change next year, one of the most promising standards may end up in the graveyard (at least for Android phones) before getting a chance to flourish.
